ATLANTA, Ga. -- Tony Barbee said his team exhibited some physical play, and that was good. But Auburn's coach wasn't pleased with his team's overall play, not in an 81-62 loss to Illinois on Sunday in Philips Arena.

Auburn trailed 41-17 at the half and trailed by 31 in the second half before a rally in the closing minutes. Barbee said not to read too much into that. The game had long turned by then.

"We let our anemic offense...how many possessions in a row did we go and not score?" Barbee asked. "When the game matters, and it's in the balance, and you've got to make those same plays, you've got to make them. You've got to make the plays when the game matters."